The Age of Chivalry eBook

So they three departed, and rode forth till they came
to the foot of the mount. And there the king
commanded them to tarry, for he would himself go up
into that mount. So he ascended the hill till
he came to a great fire, and there he found an aged
woman sitting by a new-made grave, making great sorrow.
Then King Arthur saluted her, and demanded of her
wherefore she made such lamentation; to whom she answered:
“Sir knight, speak low, for yonder is a devil,
and if he hear thee speak, he will come and destroy
thee. For ye cannot make resistance to him, he
is so fierce and so strong. He hath murdered
the Duchess, which here lieth, who was the fairest
of all the world, wife to Sir Hoel, Duke of Brittany.”
“Dame,” said the king, “I come from
the noble conqueror, King Arthur, to treat with that
tyrant.” “Fie on such treaties,”
said she; “he setteth not by the king, nor by
no man else.” “Well,” said Arthur,
“I will accomplish my message for all your fearful
words.” So he went forth by the crest of
the hill, and saw where the giant sat at supper, gnawing
on the limb of a man, and baking his broad limbs at
the fire, and three fair damsels lying bound, whose
lot it was to be devoured in their turn. When
King Arthur beheld that, he had great compassion on
them, so that his heart bled for sorrow. Then
he hailed the giant, saying, “He that all the
world ruleth give thee short life and shameful death.
Why hast thou murdered this Duchess? Therefore
come forth, for this day thou shalt die by my hand.”
Then the giant started up, and took a great club,
and smote at the king, and smote off his coronal; and
then the king struck him in the belly with his sword,
and made a fearful wound. Then the giant threw
away his club, and caught the king in his arms, so
that he crushed his ribs. Then the three maidens
kneeled down and prayed for help and comfort for Arthur.
And Arthur weltered and wrenched, so that he was one
while under, and another time above. And so weltering
and wallowing they rolled down the hill, and ever
as they weltered Arthur smote him with his dagger;
and it fortuned they came to the place where the two
knights were. And when they saw the king fast
in the giant’s arms they came and loosed him.
Then the king commanded Sir Kay to smite off the giant’s
head, and to set it on the truncheon of a spear, and
fix it on the barbican, that all the people might see
and behold it. This was done, and anon it was
known through all the country, wherefor the people
came and thanked the king. And he said, “Give
your thanks to God; and take ye the giant’s spoil
and divide it among you.” And King Arthur
caused a church to be builded on that hill, in honor
of St. Michael.